Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of plasma cell gingivitis- A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: This study aims to describe the demographics and clinicopathological characteristics of the cases of plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) reported in our institute, supported by a review of pertinent literature. Further, we investigated the role of the cluster of differentiation CD138, Ki67, CD56, and CD117 immunoexpression in the differential diagnosis of PCG from plasma cell dyscrasias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All histopathologically confirmed cases of PCG, whose relevant details could be obtained, were included in this study. They were subjected to panel of immunohistochemical markers to exclude plasma cell malignancies. Further, published English literature for PCG since 1970–2020 was reviewed. RESULTS: Nine histopathologically confirmed cases of PCG, were retrieved from the archives of our department. The cases comprised 3 males and 6 females with their ages ranging between 14 and 82 years. The plasma cells exhibited equivocal reactivity for kappa and lambda; and immunonegativity for CD56, CD117 with low Ki67 proliferation index. Published literature in English showed 43 cases of PCG were predominantly female; the diffuse involvement of maxilla and mandible was a common finding. CONCLUSION: In addition to kappa lambda reactivity, an immunoprofile of CD138, Ki67, CD56, and CD117 may be used as a diagnostic adjunct to exclude malignant plasma cell lesions in confusing cases.